Conclusions

The theatre existed during a drastic change in the demographics of the population as it changed from predominantly white to black. We saw the direct impacts this had on the theatre in the case of the two workers assaulting the black woman in 1934 when the black population just began to grow. In addition, though there was not much information on the theatre itself beyond the 1940s except for one attempted robbery in 1950. However, the area became more popular and more entertainment venues and black owned businesses were developed in the area. While the Belmont Theatre was seen as a cultural institution during it’s years of operation and a few decades later, its impression is no longer felt in the community today. Instead of a massive entertainment district, the location is teeming with retail stores such as the grocery that lies in the exact location of where the theatre once was. There are many factors that affect these changes but it is clear in the evolution of businesses that the change in population demographics is correlated with the change in infrastructure in this location.